Alice’s young son James compares Topher’s death to “an Irish goodbye […] when you leave without saying goodbye” (213). In light of James’s statement, examine the significance of the novel’s title. How does the title tie in with the novel’s themes and the motivations of various characters?

Early in the novel, Isabel asks Maggie to describe each of her family members in one word. Considering Maggie’s responses, examine if the characters fit her perceptions of them. How is each character similar or different from what Maggie perceives?

Examine O’Neill’s use of sensory triggers, such as the view of the lighthouse, to initiate flashbacks. What do these triggers say about the relationship between the past and present in the novel?

While the narrative is dominated by the sisters’ perspectives, characters like Robert Ryan and Luke Larkin are central to the novel’s conflicts. Analyze how the novel portrays masculinity in the context of grief and trauma.

Examine how the key issues of forgiveness and accountability play out in the novel, illustrating your response with examples from the text.

At the end of the novel, the sisters watch a flock of geese rise in the air and fly away in a “V” formation, “heading to wherever they [a]re going next” (271). Explain the symbolism behind the geese. What do you think they signify?

Religion features prominently in the narrative, with Alice grappling with her faith when considering an abortion and Nora disapproving of Maggie because of her beliefs. Examine how religion empowers some characters while hindering others, using examples from the novel to support your answer.

Examine the role that the grandchildren—Augustus, Poppy, Finn, and James—play in the novel. Use textual evidence to bolster your answer.